Roots International Festival

The International Roots festival is held annually in Banjul and other towns. It commemorates the enslavement of Africans who were captured and shipped to the Americas as a part of the transatlantic slave trade. This festival gives Africans and people from the African Diaspora the opportunity to learn more about their heritage as they delve into the culture and history of the Continent.

Festival attendees can visit many of the nearby historical sites, including Alex Haley's ancestral home, Fort James Island and Georgetown which is now Janjanbureh. There are fantastic concerts with performers from throughout the world along with wonderful cultural jamborees. There are a number of traditional ceremonies including the "Futampaf" or rites of passage ceremony. Guests can also visit arts & crafts markets to bargain and to witness the artisans showcasing their talent.